Question : Inclusion of all Hydro Projects under Renewable Energy

(a) whether India’s renewable energy capacity could touch 225 GW by 2022 if hydro-electricity is added to the renewable category as is being done the world over, if so, the details thereof ;
(b) whether it is a fact that it is only in India where hydro-projects below 25 MW are considered renewable and those above are considered non-renewable, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government is looking into removing this distinction and prepared a report to put it out for public consultation, if so, the details thereof and present status in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY & MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): Government has set the target to reach 175 GW of Renewable Energy capacity by the year 2022 which includes 5 GW from Small Hydro (up to 25 MW station capacity). So far larger hydro plants are not considered as Renewable Energy. In case large hydro capacity (above 25MW) is added to the renewable category, India’s Renewable Energy capacity could reach 225MW.
(b): Hydro power can be called renewable power of energy because it uses the water for generation of electricity without any consumption and leaves this vital resource available for other uses.
Implementation of Hydro Power up to 25 MW station capacity was brought under the ambit of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy from Ministry of Power during 1999.

The norms of SHP differ from country to country. In some countries station capacity with more than 25 MW is classified as SHP, example- Brazil -30 MW, Canada-50 MW, China- 50 MW, Pakistan- 50 MW, Vietnam- 30MW, Eastern Europe/ Russian countries - 30 MW.

(c): Yes Madam, the matter is under examination.

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